John Wingert sought refuge here. He fled religious persecution in Germany. Wingert House stands before us. It is a testament to his courage and a piece of Chicago’s rich history.
This is the Wingert House. It is one of the oldest surviving farmhouses within Chicago city limits. The Wingert House received Chicago Landmark status on July 31, 1990.
Let’s step back in time to 1854. John Wingert, a German immigrant, built this house. He sought religious freedom in a new land. The area was then a settlement called Canfield. It was a prairie frontier.
Imagine life in 1854. Chicago was a growing city. Norwood Park was a distant settlement. Wingert farmed his land and built his home. This modest farmhouse was his sanctuary.
Between 1868 and 1875, a two-story Italianate section was added. This addition gave the Wingert House its distinctive look. It blended the original farmhouse with a more stylish design. The Wingert House became a symbol of progress. It showed how Chicago was growing.
Wingert Street was renamed Myrtle Avenue in 1909. It was named after flowering evergreen shrubs.
The Wingert House is more than just an old building. It represents a family’s resilience. It also stands for the immigrant experience in Chicago.
Interestingly, the Wingert House is one of the few buildings in Chicago that predate the Great Fire of 1871. It survived a blaze that destroyed much of the city. This makes it even more remarkable.
However, tragedy struck in 2021. The Wingert House caught fire. The rear of the building suffered some damage. Fortunately, the damage wasn’t catastrophic. The Wingert House was later rehabbed. It was sold in April 2024.
The Wingert House stands as a reminder. It is a reminder of Chicago’s past. It is a symbol of perseverance and rebirth.
As we conclude our visit, remember John Wingert. Remember his journey. Remember the Wingert House. It is a landmark of Chicago history. It is a story of survival. It is a story of hope.